Literary projections of “Tannhauser” by R. Wagner (O. Wilde, M. Kuzmin)

The article discusses the novels “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” by O. Wilde and “Wings” by M. Kuzmin as texts that addressed to decadent subculture. Comparative analysis reveals similarities in both novels (the system of characters, narration structure, the appeal to canonical texts, to philosophical ideas and images of decadence). The characters listen to “Tannhauser” in both books, but the analysis of allusions shows diametrically opposite interpretations of hedonism of main characters. The scene of bacchanalia by M. Kuzmin is a declaration of the triumph of the flesh, in Wilde's book “Tannhauser” is the work about the conflict between spirit and flesh, extending the Faustian theme of human nature’s tragic duality.